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Pines HA, Eger WH, Skaathun B, Vera CF, Harvey-Vera A, Rangel G, Strathdee SA, Bazzi AR. Willingness to use and distribute HIV self-testing kits among people who inject drugs in the San Diego-Tijuana border region. Harm Reduct J 2024; 21:4. [PMID: 38172795 PMCID: PMC10765917 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00922-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV self-testing (HIVST) could increase HIV testing access among people who inject drugs (PWID), and secondary distribution (i.e., peer-delivery) of HIVST kits in PWID social networks could further expand coverage. We assessed willingness to use and distribute HIVST kits among PWID in the San Diego-Tijuana border region. METHODS From 2020 to 2021, HIV-negative PWID in San Diego, USA, and Tijuana, Mexico, completed surveys and provided data on individual (N = 539) and social network (N = 366) characteristics. We used modified Poisson regression to examine the effects of individual and social network characteristics on willingness to use and distribute HIVST kits. RESULTS Most participants were willing to use (81%) and distribute (81%) HIVST kits. At the individual level, prior HIV testing was positively associated with willingness to use (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.10-1.40) and distribute (aPR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.12-1.43) HIVST kits, while perceiving oneself to be at higher HIV risk than others was negatively associated with willingness to use HIVST kits (aPR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.74-0.93). At the network level, willingness to distribute HIVST kits was positively associated with network size (aPR = 1.04 per member, 95% CI 1.01-1.08) and greater proportions of one's network encouraging them to use drugs (aPR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.16-1.44) and having a history of homelessness (aPR = 1.51, 95% CI 1.31-1.74) or detention/arrest (aPR = 1.57, 95% CI 1.36-1.82), and negatively associated with a greater proportion of one's network including "very close" persons (aPR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.94). CONCLUSIONS We found high potential for HIVST kits and their secondary distribution to increase HIV testing among PWID who face the greatest barriers to facility-based testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather A Pines
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - William H Eger
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- School of Social Work, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Britt Skaathun
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Carlos F Vera
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Alicia Harvey-Vera
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Gudelia Rangel
- Mexico Section of the US-Mexico Border Health Commission, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
- El Colegio de la Frontera Norte, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
| | | | - Angela R Bazzi
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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2
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Bazzi AR, Valasek CJ, Streuli SA, Vera CF, Harvey-Vera A, Philbin MM, Biello KB, Roth AM, Strathdee SA, Pines HA. Long-Acting Injectable Human Immunodeficiency Virus Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Preferred Over Other Modalities Among People Who Inject Drugs: Findings from a Qualitative Study in California. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2022; 36:254-262. [PMID: 35727647 PMCID: PMC9464050 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2022.0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
People who inject drugs (PWID) have extraordinarily low uptake of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) despite high levels of need. Long-acting PrEP modalities hold promise for HIV prevention among PWID, but product preferences remain poorly understood. From September to November 2021, we conducted qualitative interviews with 28 HIV-negative, adult (≥18 years) PWID in San Diego County, CA, to explore their perspectives on daily oral PrEP pills and long-acting PrEP modalities (i.e., injections, implants, intravaginal rings, and broadly neutralizing antibodies), which we explained using standard scripts. Thematic analysis identified variations in PrEP modality interest and acceptability. We identified three key factors across the 28 interviews that appeared to influence PrEP modality preferences: perceived convenience of use, invasiveness, and familiarity (based on past experience). Overall, most participants preferred injectable PrEP over other modalities because they viewed injectable medications as convenient, noninvasive, and familiar. While injectable PrEP was recently approved for use in the United States and was most the acceptable PrEP modality in this sample, our findings suggest that intervention and implementation research is urgently needed to improve our understanding of strategies that could support access, uptake, and sustained adherence to longer-acting PrEP for PWID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela R. Bazzi
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chad J. Valasek
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Samantha A. Streuli
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Carlos F. Vera
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Alicia Harvey-Vera
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Morgan M. Philbin
- Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA
| | - Katie B. Biello
- Departments of Behavioral & Social Sciences and Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Alexis M. Roth
- Department of Community Health and Prevention, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Steffanie A. Strathdee
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Heather A. Pines
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA
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Rouhani S, Allen ST, Whaley S, White RH, O'Rourke A, Schneider KE, Kilkenny ME, Weir BW, Sherman SG. Food access among people who inject drugs in West Virginia. Harm Reduct J 2021; 18:90. [PMID: 34419045 PMCID: PMC8379557 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-021-00536-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The substance use epidemic in the United States continues to drive high levels of morbidity and mortality, particularly among people who inject drugs (PWID). Poor access to food often co-occurs with drug use and contributes to associated sequelae, such as risks for HIV and diabetes. The objective of this study was to examine factors associated with adequate food access among PWID in a rural Appalachian community. METHODS Cross-sectional surveys were used to collect data among PWID aged 18 and older in Cabell County, West Virginia. Frequency of hunger and sociodemographic, structural and drug use characteristics were measured. Adequate food access was defined as reporting 'never' going to bed hungry at night in the past six months. Pearson's χ2 and t-tests and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with food access. RESULTS Only 71 individuals (17%) reported never going to bed hungry at night in the past six months. Adjusted odds of having adequate food access were higher among PWID who completed high school (aOR 2.94; P = 0.010) and usually used drugs alone (aOR 1.97; P = 0.025), and lower among PWID who were female (aOR 0.51; P = 0.037), experienced homelessness (aOR 0.23, P < 0.001), were recently arrested (aOR 0.50 P = 0.047), and engaged in receptive sharing of injection equipment (aOR 0.52, P = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS We found extremely low food access in a population of PWID in Appalachia who are vulnerable to overdose and infectious disease transmission. Integrated interventions promoting food access are needed to improve the public health and wellbeing of people who inject drugs in Appalachia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saba Rouhani
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA. .,Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Sean T Allen
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Sara Whaley
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Rebecca Hamilton White
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Allison O'Rourke
- DC Center for AIDS Research, Department of Psychology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Kristin E Schneider
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Brian W Weir
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Susan G Sherman
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 624 N Broadway, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
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Earlywine JJ, Bazzi AR, Biello KB, Klevens RM. High Prevalence of Indications for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among People Who Inject Drugs in Boston, Massachusetts. Am J Prev Med 2021; 60:369-378. [PMID: 33229144 PMCID: PMC7902399 DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2020.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In Massachusetts, recent outbreaks of HIV have been fueled by injection and sexual exposures among people who inject drugs. Understanding pre-exposure prophylaxis need, knowledge, and use among people who inject drugs will help inform and evaluate interventions. METHODS In 2019, investigators analyzed 2018 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance data from people who inject drugs in Boston, MA, who met eligibility criteria. Proportions of people who inject drugs with U.S. Preventive Services Task Force-based pre-exposure prophylaxis indication were estimated by types of HIV acquisition risk in the past year: injection exposure only, sexual exposure only, and overlapping injection and sexual exposures. Investigators then evaluated pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness, conversations with healthcare providers about pre-exposure prophylaxis, and self-reported pre-exposure prophylaxis use among those with and without pre-exposure prophylaxis indications. RESULTS The prevalence of pre-exposure prophylaxis indication was 92% overall (389/423), with 290 (69%) participants indicated for injection exposures only, 3 (<1%) indicated for sexual exposures only, and 96 (23%) indicated for both injection and sexual exposures. Among those indicated for pre-exposure prophylaxis (n=389), 152 (39%) reported being aware of pre-exposure prophylaxis, 41 (11%) had discussed pre-exposure prophylaxis with a healthcare provider, and 8 (2%) had used pre-exposure prophylaxis in the past year. There were no statistically significant differences between pre-exposure prophylaxis‒indicated and ‒nonindicated people who inject drugs with respect to pre-exposure prophylaxis awareness, discussion with a healthcare provider, and pre-exposure prophylaxis use. CONCLUSIONS Indication for pre-exposure prophylaxis was high, but awareness was low, conversations about pre-exposure prophylaxis with healthcare providers were uncommon, and pre-exposure prophylaxis use was extremely low. These findings highlight important areas for clinical and community-based interventions to improve pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among and delivery to people who inject drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel J Earlywine
- From the Department of Health Law, Policy & Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Angela R Bazzi
- Department of Community Health Sciences, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Katie B Biello
- Center for Health Promotion and Health Equity, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island; Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island; Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, Rhode Island; The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - R Monina Klevens
- Bureau of Infectious Disease and Laboratory Sciences, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
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5
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Goedel WC, King MRF, Lurie MN, Galea S, Townsend JP, Galvani AP, Friedman SR, Marshall BDL. Implementation of Syringe Services Programs to Prevent Rapid Human Immunodeficiency Virus Transmission in Rural Counties in the United States: A Modeling Study. Clin Infect Dis 2021; 70:1096-1102. [PMID: 31143944 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Syringe services programs (SSPs) are effective venues for delivering harm-reduction services to people who inject drugs (PWID). However, SSPs often face significant barriers to implementation, particularly in the absence of known human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) outbreaks. METHODS Using an agent-based model, we simulated HIV transmission in Scott County, Indiana, a rural county with a 1.7% prevalence of injection drug use. We compared outcomes arising in the absence of an SSP, in the presence of a pre-existing SSP, and with implementation of an SSP after the detection of an HIV outbreak among PWID over 5 years following the introduction of a single infection into the network. RESULTS In the absence of an SSP, the model predicted an average of 176 infections among PWID over 5 years or an incidence rate of 12.1/100 person-years. Proactive implementation averted 154 infections and decreased incidence by 90.3%. With reactive implementation beginning operations 10 months after the first infection, an SSP would prevent 107 infections and decrease incidence by 60.8%. Reductions in incidence were also observed among people who did not inject drugs. CONCLUSIONS Based on model predictions, proactive implementation of an SSP in Scott County had the potential to avert more HIV infections than reactive implementation after the detection of an outbreak. The predicted impact of reactive SSP implementation was highly dependent on timely implementation after detecting the earliest infections. Consequently, there is a need for expanded proactive SSP implementation in the context of enhanced monitoring of outbreak vulnerability in Scott County and similar rural contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- William C Goedel
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Maximilian R F King
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Mark N Lurie
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Sandro Galea
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Massachusetts
| | - Jeffrey P Townsend
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.,Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.,Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Alison P Galvani
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.,Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.,Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Samuel R Friedman
- National Development and Research Institutes, Inc, New York, New York
| | - Brandon D L Marshall
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
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6
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Gonsalves GS, Crawford FW. Dynamics of the HIV outbreak and response in Scott County, IN, USA, 2011-15: a modelling study. Lancet HIV 2018; 5:e569-e577. [PMID: 30220531 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(18)30176-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In November, 2014, a cluster of HIV infections was detected among people who inject drugs in Scott County, IN, USA, with 215 HIV infections eventually attributed to the outbreak. This study examines whether earlier implementation of a public health response could have reduced the scale of the outbreak. METHODS In this modelling study, we derived weekly case data from the HIV outbreak in Scott County, IN, and on the uptake of HIV testing, treatment, and prevention services from publicly available reports from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and researchers from Indiana. Our primary objective was to determine if an earlier response to the outbreak could have had an effect on the number of people infected. We computed upper and lower bounds for cumulative HIV incidence by digitally extracting data from published images from a CDC study using Bio-Rad avidity incidence testing to estimate the recency of each transmission event. We constructed a generalisation of the susceptible-infectious-removed model to capture the transmission dynamics of the HIV outbreak. We computed non-parametric interval estimates of the number of individuals with an undiagnosed HIV infection, the case-finding rate per undiagnosed HIV infection, and model-based bounds for the HIV transmission rate throughout the epidemic. We used these models to assess the potential effect if the same intervention had begun at two key timepoints earlier than the actual date of the initiation of efforts to control the outbreak. FINDINGS The upper bound for undiagnosed HIV infections in Scott County peaked at 126 around Jan 10, 2015, over 2 months before the Governor of Indiana declared a public health emergency on March 26, 2015. Applying the observed case-finding rate scale-up to earlier intervention times suggests that an earlier public health response could have substantially reduced the total number of HIV infections (estimated to have been 183-184 infections by Aug 11, 2015). Initiation of a response on Jan 1, 2013, could have suppressed the number of infections to 56 or fewer, averting at least 127 infections; whereas an intervention on April 1, 2011, could have reduced the number of infections to ten or fewer, averting at least 173 infections. INTERPRETATION Early and robust surveillance efforts and case finding alone could reduce nascent epidemics. Ensuring access to HIV services and harm-reduction interventions could further reduce the likelihood of outbreaks, and substantially mitigate their severity and scope. FUNDING US National Institute on Drug Abuse, US National Institutes of Mental Health, US National Institutes of Health Big Data to Knowledge programme, and the US National Institutes of Health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregg S Gonsalves
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale Law School, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Forrest W Crawford
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA; Operations Program, Yale School of Management, New Haven, CT, USA
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Haendel MA, McMurry JA, Relevo R, Mungall CJ, Robinson PN, Chute CG. A Census of Disease Ontologies. Annu Rev Biomed Data Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-080917-013459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
For centuries, humans have sought to classify diseases based on phenotypic presentation and available treatments. Today, a wide landscape of strategies, resources, and tools exist to classify patients and diseases. Ontologies can provide a robust foundation of logic for precise stratification and classification along diverse axes such as etiology, development, treatment, and genetics. Disease and phenotype ontologies are used in four primary ways: ( a) search, retrieval, and annotation of knowledge; ( b) data integration and analysis; ( c) clinical decision support; and ( d) knowledge discovery. Computational inference can connect existing knowledge and generate new insights and hypotheses about drug targets, prognosis prediction, or diagnosis. In this review, we examine the rise of disease and phenotype ontologies and the diverse ways they are represented and applied in biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa A. Haendel
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 97331, USA
| | - Julie A. McMurry
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | - Rose Relevo
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239, USA
| | - Christopher J. Mungall
- Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA
| | | | - Christopher G. Chute
- School of Medicine, School of Public Health, and School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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8
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Marzel A, Kusejko K, Weber R, Bruggmann P, Rauch A, Roth JA, Bernasconi E, Calmy A, Cavassini M, Hoffmann M, Böni J, Yerly S, Klimkait T, Perreau M, Günthard HF, Kouyos RD. The Cumulative Impact of Harm Reduction on the Swiss HIV Epidemic: Cohort Study, Mathematical Model, and Phylogenetic Analysis. Open Forum Infect Dis 2018; 5:ofy078. [PMID: 29868622 PMCID: PMC5965087 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofy078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission among injecting drug users (IDUs) is increasing in the United States due to the recent opioid epidemic and is the leading mode of transmission in Eastern Europe. Methods To evaluate the overall impact of HIV harm reduction, we combined (1) data from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study and public sources with (2) a mathematical model expressed as a system of ordinary differential equations. The model reconstructs the national epidemic from the first case in 1980 until 2015. Phylogenetic cluster analysis of HIV-1 pol sequences was used to quantify the epidemic spillover from IDUs to the general population. Results Overall, harm reduction prevented 15903 (range, 15359–16448) HIV infections among IDUs until the end of 2015, 5446 acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) deaths (range, 5142–5752), and a peak HIV prevalence of 50.7%. Introduction of harm reduction 2 years earlier could have halved the epidemic, preventing 3161 (range, 822–5499) HIV infections and 1468 (range, 609–2326) AIDS deaths. Suddenly discontinuing all harm reduction in 2005 would have resulted in outbreak re-emergence with 1351 (range, 779–1925) additional HIV cases. Without harm reduction, the estimated additional number of heterosexuals infected by HIV-positive IDUs is estimated to have been 2540 (range, 2453–2627), which is equivalent to the total national reported incidence among heterosexuals in the period of 2007 to 2015. Conclusions Our results suggest that a paramount, population-level impact occurred because of the harm reduction package, beyond factors that can be explained by a reduction in risk behavior and a decrease in the number of drug users over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Marzel
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Kusejko
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rainer Weber
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Andri Rauch
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Bern University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Jan A Roth
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, University Basel, Switzerland
| | - Enos Bernasconi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Regional Hospital Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Alexandra Calmy
- Laboratory of Virology and Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Cavassini
- Service of Infectious Diseases, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Hoffmann
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Jürg Böni
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Yerly
- Laboratory of Virology and Division of Infectious Diseases, Geneva University Hospital, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Klimkait
- Molecular Virology, Department Biomedicine-Petersplatz, University of Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Huldrych F Günthard
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger D Kouyos
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, Switzerland
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Johnson LM, Hamilton KV, Valdez JM, Knapp E, Baker JN, Nichols KE. Ethical considerations surrounding germline next-generation sequencing of children with cancer. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2017; 17:523-534. [PMID: 28399664 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2017.1316665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has introduced an exciting new era in biomedical research. NGS forms the foundation of current genetic testing approaches, including targeted gene panel testing, as well as more comprehensive whole-exome and whole-genome sequencing. Together, these approaches promise to provide critical insights into the understanding of health and disease. However, with NGS testing come many ethical questions and concerns, particularly when testing involves children. These concerns are especially relevant for children with cancer, where the testing of tumor and germline tissues is increasingly being incorporated into clinical care. Areas covered: In this manuscript, we explore the key ethical considerations related to conducting germline NGS testing in pediatric oncology, focusing on the four main principles of beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy and justice. Expert commentary: The ethical issues surrounding germline NGS testing are complex and result in part from our limited understanding of the medical relevance of many of the results obtained and poor knowledge of the impacts of testing, both beneficial and detrimental, on patients and their families. In this article we discuss the risks and benefits of germline NGS testing and the arguments for and against such testing in children with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza-Marie Johnson
- a Section of Bioethics , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis , TN , USA
| | - Kayla V Hamilton
- b Division of Cancer Predisposition , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis , TN , USA
| | - Jessica M Valdez
- b Division of Cancer Predisposition , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis , TN , USA
| | - Esther Knapp
- c Department of Pediatrics , University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
| | - Justin N Baker
- d Division of Quality of Life and Palliative Care , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis , TN , USA
| | - Kim E Nichols
- b Division of Cancer Predisposition , St. Jude Children's Research Hospital , Memphis , TN , USA
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10
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Estimation of the cost-effectiveness of HIV prevention portfolios for people who inject drugs in the United States: A model-based analysis. PLoS Med 2017; 14:e1002312. [PMID: 28542184 PMCID: PMC5443477 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The risks of HIV transmission associated with the opioid epidemic make cost-effective programs for people who inject drugs (PWID) a public health priority. Some of these programs have benefits beyond prevention of HIV-a critical consideration given that injection drug use is increasing across most United States demographic groups. To identify high-value HIV prevention program portfolios for US PWID, we consider combinations of four interventions with demonstrated efficacy: opioid agonist therapy (OAT), needle and syringe programs (NSPs), HIV testing and treatment (Test & Treat), and oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). METHODS AND FINDINGS We adapted an empirically calibrated dynamic compartmental model and used it to assess the discounted costs (in 2015 US dollars), health outcomes (HIV infections averted, change in HIV prevalence, and discounted quality-adjusted life years [QALYs]), and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of the four prevention programs, considered singly and in combination over a 20-y time horizon. We obtained epidemiologic, economic, and health utility parameter estimates from the literature, previously published models, and expert opinion. We estimate that expansions of OAT, NSPs, and Test & Treat implemented singly up to 50% coverage levels can be cost-effective relative to the next highest coverage level (low, medium, and high at 40%, 45%, and 50%, respectively) and that OAT, which we assume to have immediate and direct health benefits for the individual, has the potential to be the highest value investment, even under scenarios where it prevents fewer infections than other programs. Although a model-based analysis can provide only estimates of health outcomes, we project that, over 20 y, 50% coverage with OAT could avert up to 22,000 (95% CI: 5,200, 46,000) infections and cost US$18,000 (95% CI: US$14,000, US$24,000) per QALY gained, 50% NSP coverage could avert up to 35,000 (95% CI: 8,900, 43,000) infections and cost US$25,000 (95% CI: US$7,000, US$76,000) per QALY gained, 50% Test & Treat coverage could avert up to 6,700 (95% CI: 1,200, 16,000) infections and cost US$27,000 (95% CI: US$15,000, US$48,000) per QALY gained, and 50% PrEP coverage could avert up to 37,000 (22,000, 58,000) infections and cost US$300,000 (95% CI: US$162,000, US$667,000) per QALY gained. When coverage expansions are allowed to include combined investment with other programs and are compared to the next best intervention, the model projects that scaling OAT coverage up to 50%, then scaling NSP coverage to 50%, then scaling Test & Treat coverage to 50% can be cost-effective, with each coverage expansion having the potential to cost less than US$50,000 per QALY gained relative to the next best portfolio. In probabilistic sensitivity analyses, 59% of portfolios prioritized the addition of OAT and 41% prioritized the addition of NSPs, while PrEP was not likely to be a priority nor a cost-effective addition. Our findings are intended to be illustrative, as data on achievable coverage are limited and, in practice, the expansion scenarios considered may exceed feasible levels. We assumed independence of interventions and constant returns to scale. Extensive sensitivity analyses allowed us to assess parameter sensitivity, but the use of a dynamic compartmental model limited the exploration of structural sensitivities. CONCLUSIONS We estimate that OAT, NSPs, and Test & Treat, implemented singly or in combination, have the potential to effectively and cost-effectively prevent HIV in US PWID. PrEP is not likely to be cost-effective in this population, based on the scenarios we evaluated. While local budgets or policy may constrain feasible coverage levels for the various interventions, our findings suggest that investments in combined prevention programs can substantially reduce HIV transmission and improve health outcomes among PWID.
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Pence, Putin, Mbeki and Their HIV/AIDS-Related Crimes Against Humanity: Call for Social Justice and Behavioral Science Advocacy. AIDS Behav 2017; 21:963-967. [PMID: 28130629 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1695-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Indiana, a large rural state in the Midwestern United States, suffered the worst North American HIV outbreak among injection drug users in years. The Indiana state government under former Governor and current US Vice President Mike Pence fueled the HIV outbreak by prohibiting needle/syringe exchange and failed to take substantive action once the outbreak was identified. This failure in public health policy parallels the HIV epidemics driven by oppressive drug laws in current day Russia and is reminiscent of the anti-science AIDS denialism of 1999-2007 South Africa. The argument that Russian President Putin and former South African President Mbeki should be held accountable for their AIDS policies as crimes against humanity can be extended to Vice President Pence. Social and behavioral scientists have a responsibility to inform the public of HIV prevention realities and to advocate for evidence-based public health policies to prevent future outbreaks of HIV infection.
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Irwin A, Jozaghi E, Bluthenthal RN, Kral AH. A Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Potential Supervised Injection Facility in San Francisco, California, USA. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/0022042616679829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Supervised injection facilities (SIFs) have been shown to reduce infection, prevent overdose deaths, and increase treatment uptake. The United States is in the midst of an opioid epidemic, yet no sanctioned SIF currently operates in the United States. We estimate the economic costs and benefits of establishing a potential SIF in San Francisco using mathematical models that combine local public health data with previous research on the effects of existing SIFs. We consider potential savings from five outcomes: averted HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, reduced skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI), averted overdose deaths, and increased medication-assisted treatment (MAT) uptake. We find that each dollar spent on a SIF would generate US$2.33 in savings, for total annual net savings of US$3.5 million for a single 13-booth SIF. Our analysis suggests that a SIF in San Francisco would not only be a cost-effective intervention but also a significant boost to the public health system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amos Irwin
- Criminal Justice Policy Foundation, Silver Spring, MD, USA
- Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Ehsan Jozaghi
- BC Centre for Disease Control, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | | | - Alex H. Kral
- Research Triangle Institute, San Francisco, CA, USA
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